Broncos Have Limited Draft Capital, Must Pick Spots Wisely

Denver Broncos lack premium picks after trading for Jaylen Waddle, putting pressure on scouting department.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 1:07am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented and overlapping shapes representing a football game or NFL draft scene, using muted earth tones to convey a sense of calculated strategy.The Broncos' limited draft capital forces them to approach the 2026 NFL Draft with strategic precision, rather than aggressive maneuvering.Denver Today

Following a trade that landed Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in Denver, the Broncos won't have as many premium picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. The team doesn't have a first-round selection, won't pick until late in the second round, and doesn't have a third-round pick either. With limited draft capital, the Broncos will need to be strategic in how they approach the draft and focus on finding contributors who can help them in their Super Bowl pursuit this season.

Why it matters

The Broncos have one of the most talented rosters in the NFL and are aiming to win the Super Bowl this season. However, their lack of premium draft picks means they'll need to maximize the value of the selections they do have, making smart, calculated decisions rather than being overly aggressive in trades.

The details

The Broncos traded a first-round pick, third-round pick and fourth-round pick to the Dolphins in order to acquire Jaylen Waddle and a fourth-round pick. As a result, they'll have just one pick in the top 100 selections - pick No. 62 in the second round. They also have two fourth-round picks, a fifth-rounder, and three seventh-rounders. With limited draft capital, the Broncos will need to be strategic in how they approach the draft, potentially looking to package some of their later-round picks to move up and target specific players they covet.

  • The Broncos traded for Jaylen Waddle in 2026 ahead of the NFL Draft.

The players

Jaylen Waddle

A wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins who was traded to the Denver Broncos.

George Paton

The general manager of the Denver Broncos who facilitated the trade for Jaylen Waddle.

Sean Payton

The head coach of the Denver Broncos.

Bo Nix

The starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos.

Troy Franklin

A wide receiver drafted by the Denver Broncos in 2024.

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What they’re saying

“The Denver Broncos have just one pick in the top 100 but hold seven total selections. Remember, Denver traded a first-round pick, third-round pick and fourth-round pick to the Dolphins for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and a fourth-rounder.”

— Jordan Dajani, CBS Sports Writer

“General manager George Paton is aggressive when he wants to be. He helped facilitate the Russell Wilson trade in 2022 and sold off notable names like Jerry Jeudy and Bradley Chubb.”

— Jordan Dajani, CBS Sports Writer

What’s next

The Broncos will need to carefully evaluate the draft board and look for opportunities to trade up and target specific players they covet, while also being mindful of not depleting their limited draft capital.

The takeaway

The Broncos' lack of premium draft picks this year puts pressure on their scouting department to maximize the value of their selections. They'll need to be strategic and disciplined in their approach, focusing on finding contributors who can help them in their Super Bowl pursuit rather than making aggressive trades.